Imports from Romania cover half of Republic of Moldova's electricity consumption, President Sandu says

  Half of the Republic of Moldova's electricity consumption, on the right bank of the Dniester, is covered from domestic sources, renewable energy included, while the other half is covered from imports from Romania, President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu told a press conference on Tuesday.The leader in Chisinau called on Tuesday a meeting of the Supreme Security Council to discuss the country's energy situation and assistance measures for the population."On the right bank of the Dniester, almost half of the power needs are covered from domestic sources, including renewable energy, which has increased significantly in recent years, yet we still have a lot to do; the other major part is represented by imports from Romania," said Sandu.The Moldovan president asked the government to make efforts to increase financial support for the vulnerable population, like for instance in the form of energy vouchers intended to help vulnerable households deal with and reduce their electricity bills. "Electricity fees on the right bank are high, we know this. This crisis triggered by Gazprom has also prompted a rise in electricity tariffs on the right bank of the Dniester. Under the given circumstances, we want to make sure that both companies and households are able to more easily overcome this complicated period and problem. The government has a mechanism to offset 50% of company expenses, and envisaged are about a third of the producers, who are most affected by the tariff increase and whose electricity expenses account for a large share of their costs. It is my understanding that in the coming days the government will provide more details about this program," Maia Sandu added.She specified that approximately 680,000 households benefit from energy subsidies.Referring to the population of the self-proclaimed separatist republic of Transnistria, Maia Sandu said that financial supported can be provided only with the assent of the Tiraspol authorities."For the right bank, as I said, we must continue investing in renewable energy, in energy efficiency, work to optimize consumption," the President of the Republic of Moldova also said.Maia Sandu called on the population, public institutions and companies to cut their energy consumption amid the crisis caused by Gazprom halting gas deliveries, stating that the Presidency will also work to reduce its electricity consumption."At the Presidency, in nine months of 2024 we managed to reduce electricity consumption 12% from the year-ago period, and we will continue to work toward this," she said.